Headrest
Artist: Luba Peoples, Shankadi subgroup
Date: Early 20th century
Dimensions:
H: 7 in. (17.8 cm); L: 4 in. (10.2 cm); W: 4 in. (10.2 cm); Base Diam: 4 in. (10.2 cm).
Medium: Wood and glass beads (white, dark blue, and turquoise blue).
Place of Origin: Democratic Republic of Congo
Classification: Furniture
Credit Line: Purchased with funds from the Libbey Endowment, Gift of Edward Drummond Libbey
Object number: 2004.46
Label Text:Elite Luba men and women valued headrests as important possessions and believed that they influenced dreams—the more beautiful the headrest, the better the dream. This example takes the form of a kneeling woman with her arms supporting a “pillow” of cloth. Her almond-shaped eyes, pointed nose, and small mouth are marks of beauty among the Luba. The geometric patterns of scars on her body record stages of personal growth, proclaiming her social status and wisdom. She wears an elaborate “cascade” hairstyle that took Luba women almost 50 hours to style. By using a headrest to elevate the head during sleep, the intricate coiffure could last for two or three months.
DescriptionHeadrest carved from a single piece of wood (type unknown) in the form of a kneeling woman whose raised arms support the horizontal "pillow," which is a folded cloth or mat. Neck, arms, and waist are adorned with strands of blue and white glass beads.
Headrest carved from a single piece of wood (type unknown) in the form of a kneeling woman whose raised arms support the horizontal "pillow," which is a folded cloth or mat. Neck, arms, and waist are adorned with strands of blue and white glass beads.
Headrest carved from a single piece of wood (type unknown) in the form of a kneeling woman whose raised arms support the horizontal "pillow," which is a folded cloth or mat. Neck, arms, and waist are adorned with strands of blue and white glass beads.
Not on view
In Collection(s)